It feels like the season has started…

With full fledged workouts going on, the media here to capture the news and Don Mattingly talking Dodger baseball, it finally feels like the season is upon us.

We don’t report to Camelback Ranch until a month from this Sunday, but you wouldn’t know that from the vibe at the park this morning.

Plenty of websites and TV stations will be sharing the newsworthy info that came out of today and we tweeted a ton of it as it was coming out @dodgers so there’s no use recapping it all. Frankly, that’s not the value in this blog.

But what we can tell you is that it feels like the Dodgers have some great things in store for 2011. Hearing Donnie talk about the team and the tradition of this organization was impressive. Seeing Tommy Lasorda, Maury Wills and the return of Davey Lopes to a place he called home for so many years. The players hearing from an All-Star like Shawn Green after the workouts about what it’s like to be a Dodger and a big leaguer. Tommy closing it out with a speech like no one else can deliver.

And tonight, the prospects are having a private dinner with a number of Dodger legends to hear about why the Dodgers are the Dodgers.

It’s all part of this incredible program put together by De Jon Watson, Chris Haydock and the player development department and it’s got a lot of people at the stadium excited about the year to come.

Related

71 Comments

Josh, what you described sounds a bit like Dodger Fantasy Camp with the ex-players and especially Tommy. Seriously, I think it should be a good experience for an open minded young player to listen to an ex-player about what takes to be a major league player. The players have to buy in to the Dodger tradition and what it takes to be successfull. Despite what is happening in the front office with ownership, everything is decided on the field by the players. Thank you to Shawn Green and the others who give their time back to the Dodger organization.

I see Reed signed a minor league deal with an invite to ST with the Cubs today.
.
There goes my hope of Mattingly being able to whip-out his Johnson to save the day this season. This after Ned was left Wangless last year…

Hi Everybody
Friends of mind from the LFP at Dodger Stadium, Fancesince53 and his daughter Fansince85, who now resides in Brooklyn (Oh Yes) told me about what a wonderful time they had at the ballpark yesterday eating and also meeting and greeting the younger Dodgers, along with Ned, Donnie and Josh..
It must have been fantastic, and it’s hard for me to truly imagine.
I’m happy for everyone who got a chance to attend. Wish I could’ve been there.

Hi everyone!
OBF! i am glad you mentioned fansince53. He used to post here when the blog first started. right fansince53? Anyway Fansince53, I remembered I have a picture that I took of you at the Top of the park that I never sent you. Let me know where. sorry but I forgot your email extension.
.
I love the pictures from Dodger Stadium and the news that baseball is on the air!
Emmahttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com

I love that Ozzie Guillen has answered my question on two different occasions!
.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Q: Since the Dodgers have Juan Uribe and he played for the White Sox, what can you tell us about him?

A: Uribe is awesome. He may look like a little Buddha, but he is an amazing baseball player. I think he is so good because he is not afraid of the moment. He really is fearless, maybe because he has no idea how big the moments actually are! (haha) I only kid with him because that’s my boy, and he will be great for the Dodgers.
.
— Ozzie
– – – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – – – –
Q: How do you like sharing a Spring Training facility with the Dodgers?

A: To me, it was a great experience and still is to be with such a great organization. I’m looking forward to seeing and competing against Donny (Don Mattingly), one of my favorite players coming up. And, of course, now I get to see my boy Uribiiiiiittttoooo (Juan Uribe) all spring long
– – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – —

You know there is a much more important thing out there to worry about than all this………….whether your astrological sign has been changed – LOL!!!!!

You would have been proud of this Dodger fan today. We had an assembly with the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants AAA affiliate), and of course it was the perfect opportunity to where my Dodgers hoodie. Of course my principal had fun pointing that out in front of the entire group. I told them I may be a Dodger fan, but I am also a fan of baseball and reading (which was the purpose of the assembly).

Forget Fox….and Frank!!!!
.
What y’all need to remember is we, the paying, loving public!!! Make the magic possible!! Were it baby, we are the motor that makes the team run!!! Tommy has alway’s said ” The Dodgers belong to the fans ”
.
JOSH!! Times are hard, and I pose the question in these lean times……ask Tommy if he could have one last meal, at the place of his choice or one more Championship, which does he choose? I know Tommy is 80+ but damn, we need some spark out of the Walking Eagle………………..I propose that Tommy challange Loney, pound for pound, Tommy has to shed some and Loney has to gain some…..in the way of dingers!!! What are we talking here? 10 pounds bing, bang get -r -done!!! Tommy, I NEED to see you fired up!!! FIRED FISHIN UP !!!!
.

If you could choose, between one favorite last dinner, and one more Dodger Championship………You know you would Rally for the cause!!! Tommy Get -R- done, Baby!!! Fired up!!!! Fired Fishin Up!!!

Just when we were starting to talk about players and the upcoming season comes a story about Frank and his search for more money. Certainly this is not coincidental to his meetings with MLB officials a short time ago. I can picture Frank working hard to find a way to save this franchise for himself and his sons. Let’s hope he doesn’t lose all of us along the way. Bud Selig, MLB and Fox, shame on you for allowing Frank to become the owner in the first place and for prolonging his stay in your exclusive club.

Boy, as if I weren’t depressed enough already. Not that I need much encouragement, but it triggered yet another snappy letter. This one stands a chance.

“At the risk of irritating certain readers who get offended with negative comments in this Letters Section, I’d like to respond to Saturday’s article, “Fox advances Frank McCourt money to help cover Dodgers’ operating expenses.”

NONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!!”

(Last week someone wrote in to complain that there was too much negativity in the Times Letter section, so I hadda respond somehow.)

Speaking of negativity, if he survives long enough to put the DodgerVision deal together, he’ll never leave until he dies. Then of course, we get his sons. If that happens, I’ll have to shop my fandom around MLB I guess. I’ve never changed teams in any sport before, except leaving the Rams for the Chargers. But they left me first.

I’m not an AL guy, so that takes me down to 15 teams right away. No way I root for the Padres or Giants. Ever. Thirteen left now. The Reds? Nah, too much left over from the Big Red Machine days when they beat us like a drum. Twelve. I hate all New York teams in every sport. Eleven. I hate Texas, mostly ’cause of the Cowboys. Ten. I hate St Louis ’cause they stole my Rams. Nine. Can’t root for the Nationals because I hate politicians. That leaves eight. I’ve always hated the Tomahawk Chop. Seven. Florida sucks. Six. And Pittsburgh has no prospects they can keep either. Five. Philly? They spend money, but I can’t root for the same team as Phan. Four. Brewers are owned by the anti-Christ. Three. Cubs? 1908? Two. Rockies are spending money to keep their kids, but I can’t spell Twolowitzy. Dbacks have Gibson managing so that might be fun, but managers are hired to be fired. He won’t be there forever.

Geez, it was about 1PM PST (in real time) when I got that 1 post in (at 2:21 in TimeWarpVille). I’ve been consigned to “Too many posts” ever since. Hi Junie and tru!

Yeah birk, I guess Fox didn’t do enough damage while they were the owners. And it STILL wasn’t enough that they sold to mccheap. Now they’ve gotta pony up more money to keep him here.

What did we ever do to Fox? Are they all gnat fans over there? Communists? If there’s truth to this still-unconfirmed story, I’ll stop watching their stupid network. I don’t care what they televise. There’s too much competition on the airwaves, always music to listen to, books to read, people to talk to. Screw ’em.

I would like to voice my opposition to this, if it is indeed true. There is a growing opposition to the Frank McCourt ownership of the Dodgers amongst the fan base and our best hope of him selling the team to someone who really cares about the welfare of the Dodgers is that he cannot find any more entities to loan him more money.

Before you actually loan him money, it would be a good idea to find out just how much money he owes. It’s frightening. Why would you want to assist him? Unless, of course, you want to be an owner again yourself. And that didn’t work out so well for you before, did it?”

Now, before the nay-sayers amongst you says, “You don’t actually think anyone pays attention to anything you say, do you?”

I was all geared up to tell Dodgereric how great his post was (and it is!!), but then the thought of him not being a Dodger fan is very disturbing. However Eric, if you can’t find another baseball team to love, there is always NASCAR and Jimmie 🙂

I think it may be time to flood Fox with letters about how we don’t want this to happen. Or do they care what the fans want?

lbirken – Always love to know what you ate thinking. It is definitely worth the two cents!!

It is good to see you too Dodgereric, and I was stuck in Submission Error Hell after my first post as well. This and not knowing whether your post is going to show up in real time or ITDFST is really annoying.

However, he will cut all the important programs (the players the fans actually care about) and he will raise taxes (ticket prices, merchandise, etc), while giving himself and his sons raises. Yep enchanted, he is just like our government!!!

McCourt, who began his first day on the job as Dodgers owner promising transparency, continues to decline to comment on any subject.

Fox did not respond to a request for comment.

McCourt’s recent trip to New York to gather support from Major League Baseball has all the appearance of a desperate man. Divorce court papers revealed he was more than $400 million in debt, more than $600 million considering long-term liabilities and now he’s paying his wife to stay away.

He had to borrow money from his brother and friends to make good on payments to Jamie.

Throw in an estimated $400 million that could be borrowed from Fox to start a regional sports network, and McCourt would be near $1 billion in debt.

The interest on such debt would be astronomical, with the payment eating seriously into any cash flow. It would undermine the team’s ability to improve the team in the future.

Dodgereric – Just so you know you and most of here on ITD are not alone, here are some posts fans are making the actually links to these articles via facebook…….

The only guy I want to see hit the road more than McCourt is Bud Selig. He’s the guy who allowed this to happen in the first place, yet won’t allow Mark Cuban NEAR a Major League franchise. B.S. hasn’t just been bad for the Dodgers- he’s been bad for all of baseball.

The sad thing is there are actually parties interested in buying the Dodgers, but Selig still won’t do anything.

What they have to worry about is having fans in the stands. Who’s going to be lined up on the sides of roads with picket signs? People need to get educated about this.

I would simply encourage everyone to focus as much creative efforts in underlining the only clear statement Frank will actually be bothered by–cutting his pockets, cutting his income.

Next thing you know, he’ll ask the President to BAIL him out.

This has gone too far, if this were to happen to the yankees or red sox i bet bud selig would do something.

He’s making the team look pathetic and desperate. If he cared about the Dodgers at all, he would not be begging for money to keep them afloat. He would sell them to someone who can actually afford them and knows how to run a business, not sell them out.

Frank will rub snausages with ANYONE who has got bucks to “LEND” him. Yeah, as IF HE COULD EVER PAY ANY OF IT BACK. This bitch is in debt to over HALF A BILLION DOLLARS. Not MILLION, but BILLION. Can’t say that I would lend him anything, other than my shoe up his *** . . .

It is so frustrating because the actions McCourt is taking now will not be able to be undone.He will not give up this team until he sells them out to Fox or China or and turns a profit and makes the Dodgers a laughing stock.

They are not a laughing stock because they did poorly the second half of last season – stuff happens (look at the Padres), but because they have a desperate greedy owner whose personal life and poor business judgment and need for media attention has turned them into a three-ring circus act.

Dodger fans deserve so much better. I expect the team to be more competitive this year, but this ownership tragedy makes it so hard for me to be excited. If the owner doesn’t care about the team, then how does he expect us fans to?

I went ahead and forwarded these and other comments to the address Dodgereric posted yesterday. The problem I am having with this is there are interested parties interested in buying this team, but the MLB is just sitting back watching this financial fiasco happen. In Jhall’s term…..TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!

Wow, I usually find T.J. Simers mildly amusing if not a bit irritating but he pretty much summed up how I feel about the latest McCourt gambit. Why Fox would want a share of the Dodgers while the ownership issue still has not been resolved completely is anyone’s guess. T.J. is right on target when he says this ploy will not be good for the fans.

Hey Frank!! Here’s the deal!!
.
Without the hispanic population, doing what they do best!!!
.
Supporting what they believe, to be in they love and to be in their best interest!!
.
Your dead in the water!!! ( just saying!!)
.
And having said that, I am and have been in Love with a hispanic girl, that trust me has more passion and more fiery God honest spirit than Jamie could EVER UNLEASH!!!
.
But she loves me, ( Go Fishin Figure ) Tougher than nails love, I’m telling ya!!
.
Frank, I am dead broke, we ain’t talking a billion, but the dreams of the big *** penny, trying to steamroll my assss. Ever so present!!!
.
( you’ve had the dream, sound asleep, falling from a plane…………just falling but you wake up right before impact, in a cold sweat!! Its the same dream but with a Gigantic Penny about to steamroll your asss!! I mean falling from a plane and waking up right before you make the utimate impact, Vs, getting steamrolled by a Fishing Penny,
.
Frank pull the parachute, its time!!
.
Don’t let 3 million little *** pennies steamroll your asss!!
.
Step to the side……..make amends, be valiant, in your duties, not just with the duties, you posses with the our beloved ballclub!! But with the duties you have as the head of what is and shall always be your true legacy!!
.
The children that follow in your footsteps, I’m talking about those individuals you have’nt even met yet!! They deserve more than just a man that can cherish them with dollars!! They deserve everything and I mean everything, your heart ever desired!!
.
Sidestep the Gigantic Penny, say Hasta la Vista to the Lawyers……Focus your passion, focus your heart on the bigger picture!! Jamie you are alway’s included in everything that pertains to Frank, call a truce, salvage what is a promising future, and what you’ve work towards since I’m just guessing here, you gave life to something greater than your wildest dreams!! Dreams that unless you abandon them never seize to exist!!!
.
Y’all are acting pretty damnnnn stupid, with what is the most preciouc commodity known to man kind!!
.
Y’all became a part of my beloved Dodgers, so it has been hard to dislike Y’all………Sidestep, and regroup……with dignity, not just $

I would really like that to be my last post about Frank and Jamie!!! They’ve grown older than my drunk rants!!
.
Bottoms Up!!
.
The team is pretty much settled, barring a few surprise in the spring, I know Neds intrigued and open, yeah whatever….if this ballclub doesn’t come out in the first 56 games of the season, and show some promise. The next 56 games Ned will abort any plan he and Frank have sold to the paying public ( Meaning US!!) I got news for Y’all these ballpalyers are going to make it or break it without anyone in the stands!! Heck we can’t show support on the road!! They still have to man up and FISHING WIN!! They either have that ability/desire or they don’t!! Sure a loud crowd is a benefit but not a necessity!! I think and believe that a smaller crowd, showing not just their love for the current team but a bonified and true love for the well being of what we belive to be The Best Organzition in Baseball would speak volumes!! After all these players are an extention of us, in so many ways!! A lost and wayward owner, who refuses to give us their best, not so much!!
.
Frank just keeps prodding along sub par, while Loney, drives in runs!! Andre battles day in and day out, I doubt there is a better grinder in the line-up!! Bills, Padilla, factor Brox into this picture, dealing adversity, done it before, can do it agian!! Kershaw, yeah well what can I say, not quite wiffle ball control, but damn near!! The rest of the bunch, ought to be gald to be playing on any baseball field let alone an empty one, in what is truly L.A.!!
.
These gentleman don’t need us, I am quite sure they appreciate us, and they are gonna make a mark whether we rumble the seats with thunder or not. This has always been Dodgerland, ( It’s Not Our Town ,) heck it ain’t even a darn town? What it is, is what you…..the Boys on the field make it!!! 2011 will have an excuse, how else can you explain anything short of ring!!! The McCourt drama doesn’t exist anymore!! It’s as good as dead, the first 56 games alive and well baby, and all of L.A. supports this cause
.

Dodgereric,
The letters to the Times in the sport section is the first thing I read Saturday mornings. Sometimes is the best part of the sport section. Negative or positive, they are a reflection of the status of the Dodgers. I enjoy reading both and the creativitiy of the fans that take the time to send him.
.
BTW Bill Dwyre had a nice human interest story about Joe Garagiola last Saturday.http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/14/sports/la-sp-dwyre-20110115

I also enjoy the letter section in the Times sports section and other sports magazines as well. It is interesting how upset some folks get and I will say I am sick and tired of so many letters starting with, “I am sick and tired about…”

Dodger4life, your diatribe about Frank and Jamie unfortunately assumes either one of these two people knows anything about doing the right thing. They are both stubborn, greedy wannabes who clearly are in over their heads with regards to owning a sports franchise such as the Dodgers.

SoSG is reporting that the Dodgers have signed Marcus Thames. So there’s the RH platoon with Gibbons. Guess that totally leaves Paul out in the cold.
.
Its also being reported that Ned’s close to signing Gabe Kapler to a minor league contract.
.
Boy the names just keep getting bigger and brighter don’t they?

Also, according to Tony Jackson, the Dodgers are not looking to sign multiple-year contracts to Billz, Loney and Kuo. I am okay with this decision (for now) if the reasoning is because of performance and not because Frank can’t afford it. However, I guess we will never know the reasoning.

So, we might agree to terms with Welcome Back Kotter. Oboy again. In the words of The Times: “At 35, Kapler?s best years are about a decade behind him. He had what was arguably his best offensive season in 2000, when he hit .302 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs for the Texas Rangers.”

Reaction: It’s not “about a decade”. It’s MORE than a decade. And his BEST was 14 hrs. That’s fourteen. Good Lord.

We’re not looking to sign Billz, Loney and Kuo to multi-year contracts.

Reaction: If I were Billz, Loney or Kuo, I wouldn’t be looking to sign multi-year deals with us either. Only an idiot would want to stay here under mcdick’s ownership.

Also, in not-unexpected news, I’ve received a rejection email from the Guinness people:

“Thank you for sending us the details of your recent record attempt for ‘Longest employment, same employer, not owner’. We are afraid to say that we are unable to accept this as a Guinness World Record.

We are aware of Mr. Scully’s achievements and how they compare to other sports commentators around the globe, and will offer proper recognition to him if and when he surpasses a proper world record.

Guinness World Records has absolute discretion as to which Guinness World Record applications are accepted and our decision is final. Guinness World Records may at its discretion and for whatever reason identify some records as either no longer monitored by Guinness World Records or no longer viable.

As your record application has not been accepted, Guinness World Records is in no way associated with the activity relating to your record proposal and we in no way endorse this activity. If you choose to proceed with this activity then this is will be of your own volition and at your own risk.

Once again thank you for your interest in Guinness World Records.”

I replied politely:

“I would like to thank you for considering my request. Although I do not agree with you that it is not a ?proper world record?, I understand that it could be something extremely difficult to verify.

O.K., so now I know who Marcus Thames is but I still never heard of him but then again, I don’t follow the American League and didn’t know anything about Casey Blake when he came to the Dodgers. I do know I have never liked the idea of platooning players but maybe this will work.

I am not surprised Bills signed a one year deal. It does not seem the Dodgers want anything longer than two years and the players still have opportunities for the big pay day down the road. Remember when people were wondering why the Dodgers did not offer a long term deal to Russell Martin? Ned has demonstrated he would rather pay a bit more for a shorter period of time then commit to something long term. We will see how this works but with the ownership situation being what is, I don’t blame the players for trying to keep their options open.

And now for some rumor-mongering…Three new Sons. We all know who is going to be "Dusty Baker" – our very own DB. The qitueson is who is going to take the roles of Messrs. Stubbs and Nomo. Perhaps a professor? Maybe Josh? Rbn? Marla? Quad???Rumor-mongering is fun!

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.